ger Tony La Russa looks on during Game Four of the MLB World Series against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 23, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It must be tough being the child of someone in professional sports. After all, you’re subjected to the same scrutiny as your parents even when you’re not asking for the spotlight.

I truly did not mean to be offensive! It’s a phrase I use, meant as a joke. Please don’t be offended! Go Cards!!”

Ron Washington tested positive for cocaine and admitted and apologized for his drug problem in 2009, but has been clean for two years.

Let’s be honest though. Fans hit below the belt all the time on twitter, facebook, comments sections of stories, etc and there’s no reason to judge her any differently. La Russa’s kid made a bad decision given her father’s platform and let her emotions get the best of her as the Rangers tied the Cardinals 2-2 in the 2011 World Series.

Matt and Taylor. Such a great pair of names for an adorable couple. That is…until you watch the video clip below.

The couple took in a Texas Rangers-Seattle Mariners game one night before their pending wedding at the ballpark. A Fox Sports Southwest reporter, Jim Knox, attempted to get a fun interview with the cutesy couple, but got more than he bargained for when Matt made a startling comment.

Knox – “You guys are getting married at the ballpark tomorrow morning. Matt, how does it feel?

Matt – “Uh, it’s gonna be the worst day of my life.”

Knox – “Really? Wow, uh, you’re gonna get some good remarks [sic?] for that one. Why the ballpark, Taylor?

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher David Price shares a laugh with his teammates during a workout session prior at Tropicana Field. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

There is no more clear sign of the hard economic times in the Tampa Bay area than looking into the empty seats at Tropicana Field.

Question is, will fans show up for the Tampa Bay Rays ALDS opener against the Texas Rangers today?

At a September 27 Tampa Bay Rays home game, the organization saw its fourth smallest crowd in franchise history despite the team facing its second chance to clinch a playoff berth. That triggered an emotional reaction from players David Price and Evan Longoria who referred to the attendance as “embarrassing” and “disheartening.”

But former MLB pitcher turned TBS analyst Ron Darling cautioned against calling out fans during a recent conference call for the network.

“We’re talking about an area where the unemployment rate is three to four percent higher than the rest of the country. I think you gotta be very careful when you’re making millions of dollars, when you start questioning people and where they’re spending their money. You just have to be very careful,” Ron Darling said. “Everyone wants to play in front of a full house, everyone wants their fans to line the ballpark. All I know is that two seasons ago when I did the ALCS with Tampa against Boston, that area was just unbelievable.”

Tampa Tribune reporter Michael Sasso pointed out that Tampa has the third worst unemployment rate (12.6) among MLB cities and said the bad economy has impacted the theme parks, concerts and shows.

But if fans are able to show up in numbers, much like they did in 2008, it could give the Rays a unique advantage says Darling and TBS analyst John Smoltz.

“When that place is, being a dome, is packed and is loud, I can only tell you being in another dome that was the loudest that was Minnesota, the sound is deafening,” John Smoltz said. “You just can’t even imagine a place being that loud so that’s why home field advantage has its certain advantages beside the obvious of familiarity because your crowd is absolutely for you.”

Added Darling, “As John said, when you’re in a dome and it gets loud, literally, I’ve left games that I’ve pitched in domes where you have a headache for two or three hours after the game because of the noise.”

Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. speaks during an event to announce Ripken to be the second special sports envoy to the Department of State August 13, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Could it be a banner year for the Tampa Bay Rays? At least Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. thinks so.

Former MLB players turned TBS analysts gave their World Series predictions during a conference call for coverage of division series postseason action, set to start October 6, and the Rays seemed to be a popular choice to make it into the World Series. Ripken and former All-Star Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz predicted the Tampa Bay Rays to advance , but interesting enough, no one mentioned the all-mighty New York Yankees.

John Smoltz: I would say Philadelphia is gonig to go to the World Series and I think they’re going to play Tampa Bay. Those are the two most balanced teams, but that doesn’t mean they get there. The first series is the most nerve-wracking and I think Philadelphia finds a way to win the Word Series this year.

Cal Ripken: I’ll say Tampa Bay is going to beat Philadelphia in the World Series.

Ron Darling: I think Philadelphia is going to make it through, but I sense that Minnesota or Texas is going to get through this year. I think that the Yankees and Tampa Bay have great front line pitching in [CC] Sabathia and [David]Price and there are a lot of question marks after that. I think that if those two teams are ever more vulnerable, it’s this year. And look for an upset in the American League, Minnesota and Texas. But whoever catches Philadelphia is going to lose.

I called Orlando resident and former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr. to weigh in with his predictions and he liked the Tampa Bay Rays’ chances too, but not more than the Yankees.

Griffey Sr.: Philadelphia and the Yankees, but you never know with the Rays they have a pretty good club too.

The Buzz: I’m no drug expert, but since when did cocaine become an introductory, one-time consumption drug for 57-year-old men? It seems that many in the sports nation are in agreement that the Rangers were kind not to fire him, but Washington deserved some level of punishment. The bigger question is what is going on with Washington?

The Buzz:Tiger Woods’ return to the Masters will either show his great arrogance or his great, well, greatness. Michael Wilbon’s column in today’s Washington Post outlines exactly why so many are questioning his return to the most prestigious golf tournament of the year with no warm-up tournaments. “That his first tournament back is the Masters is, well, odd. It’s like Kobe or LeBron deciding to skip warmup games in March or April and just report to work for the playoffs. Skipping Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill, where a member of the Mount Rushmore of golf could put his arm around Tiger and help usher him back into the fray, is wasting an enormous resource of potential strength, not to mention goodwill” – Wilbon.

The Buzz:Take it from an expert, San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich. After the Magic dismantled the Spurs 110-84 Wednesday, Popovich said this “I think they are built for championships. They have everything that it takes. . . .They have all the elements there. It’s a matter of being consistent and focused.” And he’s not alone in the sentiment. ESPN First Take analyst Skip Bayless predicted the Magic will win it all if Vince Carter continues to play well according to his twitter account @realskipbayless Thursday morning. Maybe Mickey Mouse land will finally see that ring.

The Buzz:Surprisingly, a quarterback who is so beloved can’t seem to find any love in the NFL. In a poll conducted by the Washington Post, over half of the fans said they would not want to see Tebow in D.C. (And this is coming from a team with Jason Campbell at the helm)

The Buzz: It’s a sad day for Sandra Bullock. After a heart-warming speeches dedicated to husband Jesse James, she has reportedly moved out of their Southern California home just days after James was accused of cheating.

The Buzz:Is that the sound of a sink I hear? That would be Texas men’s basketball. I have had many sleepless nights about the demise of my alma mater. Apparently Justin Mason thinks the Horns are just playing in a tough conference.